Scot Forge employees listen to Gov. Bruce Rauner speak as he tours the company Friday in Spring Grove.

Gregory Shaver for Shaw Media

Caption

A Scot Forge employee works with a hot piece of metal as Gov. Bruce Rauner tours the company facility Friday in Spring Grove.

Gregory Shaver for Shaw Media

Caption

Gov. Bruce Rauner talks with Scot Forge CEO John Cain as Rauner tours the Spring Grove manufacturing facility Friday. The governor learned about the company, which is celebrating 125 years in business this year, and talked about his plans for the next four years if he is re-elected governor.

Rauner toured the 350,000-square-foot manufacturing plant Friday morning. Scot Forge is an employee-owned business with plants in Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The company works in numerous markets, including aerospace, infrastructure, mining and defense, according to its website.

State Sen. Pamela Althoff and McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks also attended Friday’s tour and spoke briefly about Forge’s importance to the community.

“Not only are you important to Illinois, but you are extremely important to McHenry County and its business community,” Althoff said. “Not just for your leadership and professionalism … but also because you guys are community partners.”

Rauner praised the company and said the success of manufacturing in America is necessary for success in many other industries.

Manufacturing in Illinois accounts for 12.7 percent of total state output, according to the latest statistics from the National Association of Manufacturers.

McHenry County’s manufacturing sector employs 13 percent of the county workforce, according to the McHenry County Economic Development Corp.

Rauner said he wants to see manufacturing grow.

“We are driving a major resurgence in America,” Rauner said. “Proud and strong. Build it. Buy it. Hire and grow in America, and we will restore manufacturing to America. [We will] bring manufacturing from around the world and bring it right back home to America, and right home to the great state of Illinois.”